Insulation question

I am not too sure if this goes here, but it kind of does go with heating since I am trying to keep heat in the house.
Anyway, I have a rancher with a 3-5 foot crawl space (tapers from one end to the other). I has some insulation between the joice's and I am looking at adding more, and filling in the empty spots. Should I be using the insulation that does or does not have the paper backing on it? If so, does the paper go up (against the floor) or down towards the floor? And should I be putting plastic sheeting up to act as a vapour barrier and hold the insulation in place.
Any assistance in this would be appreciated. Thank you.

Insulation question

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Insulation question

Paper backing is called a vapor barrier.
If you are adding new insulation to a section place the vapor barrier toward the room you want to keep warm. Attic floor vapor barrier down. Attic roof vapor barrier down. If adding to existing insulation like on the floor don't add a second vapor barrier. Also don't add plastic sheeting unless the above is met. Only one vapor barrier should be used.

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Insulation question

Outbacker is talking about insulating in a crawl space, that's the floor above that will be getting the insulation. As far as I know you don't need, or want, a vapour barrier in this application. Buy some insulation without paper backing of the appropriate width for the joist spacing, 16" or 24" and the same depth as the joists, or the same depth as the insulation that you already have elsewhere between joists, and tuck it in there. Do not put plastic under this, I've seen homes where this was done and in a few years you'll have this nightmare of wet insulation and rotting joists and sub-floor. Wear a mask, too.

Insulation question

Here's a recent link from the Building and Construction forum.Home Insulation

Hope this helps
Scott

Hi. do I (must I) install a vapour barrier in the ceiling when my attic is above me? there is a portion of my bathroom with no VB there....will mositure enter my attic? won't it be vented to the outside from the soffits and vents?
also, if I add a vapour barrier, won't the mositure be trapped between the plastic and drywall? thanks

Insulation question

Quote:

Originally Posted by MinConst

Paper backing is called a vapor barrier.
If you are adding new insulation to a section place the vapor barrier toward the room you want to keep warm. Attic floor vapor barrier down. Attic roof vapor barrier down. If adding to existing insulation like on the floor don't add a second vapor barrier. Also don't add plastic sheeting unless the above is met. Only one vapor barrier should be used.

not sure if the first message went through...trying it here.
Hi. do I install a vapour barrier in the ceiling when my attic is above me? there is a section of my bathroom with no vapour barrier in the section above the shower....will mositure enter my attic? won't it be vented to the outside from the soffits and vents?
also, if I add a vapour barrier, won't the mositure be trapped between the plastic and drywall and rot it from the inside? thanks

Insulation question

Quote:

Originally Posted by strublesiding@optonline.n

are any mechanicals in the crawl space? maybe insted of insulating the floor joist you should insulate the crawlspace walls

...
it is not a crawl space...it is an attic...
yes, there are vents, eletrical wires, insulated fixtures and blown insulation....
but NO vapour barrier...do I need one?
the ceiling is tiled (brand new)....
could I (how could I) install a vapour barrier from the attic side? if, in fact, I need one...thanks